National EJ Information

Compliance & Enforcement Data Tools

Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Region 5 strives to consider Environmental Justice principles in its enforcement, permitting and community-based work. These programs are derived from Plan EJ 2014, a comprehensive national strategy to ensure incorporation of Environmental Justice into all aspects of EPA’s decision-making.

Environmental Justice Small Grants

In 1994, EPA establishted the EJ Small Grants program to support and empower communities. The following are examples of work done with EJ Small Grants funding.

In Cleveland, Earth Day Coalition educated 42 teachers, 845 students and 408 community members. The coalition restored native plants to four vacant lots (20,000 square feet), and started two school-based nursery plot sites
and a garden site.

In Chicago, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization reduced air emissions by weatherizing 100 housing units, and worked with the Chicago Transit
Authority to begin a new 12-mile cross-town bus service that will serve 300,000
people living in seven Chicago community areas.

In Ohio, Communities United for Action provided education and outreach to four low-income communities on how to protect families from air toxins in Mill Creek
Valley.

Milwaukee 30th Street Corridor

In Milwaukee's 30th Street Corridor, the state, city, EPA and community groups worked to improve the cumulative effects of pollution and public health issues related to medical care and lack of healthy food.